The world has some ugly pieces of history, and our country is no exception. Here we will explore various aspects of the African American experience in the United States. Relevant information about civil rights in other countries may be included as well as we discuss what we see in the world today.
Unit Plan--Dark History: The African American Experience in the United States Until 1863
An Integrated Unit Investigating How Slavery and Black Laws Led to the Underground Railroad, Civil War, Emancipation Proclamation, and the Founding of Liberia
Watch this video and see what historical references you understand.
Why was this election so significant? We will discover why our recent presidental election was a major feat from a historical perspective.
SLAVERY
Slavery was the largest forced migration of people the earth has ever experienced. Check out the following websites to learn more.
Below is a checklist of items to complete during this unit.
Read Abolition of the Slave Trade from this text written in 1832. Start reading at the bottom of p. 12 and read until you come to the section entitled African Colonization the best check on the Slave Trade.
Go to the bottom of this page to the chart called, Colored Population in the United States. This information was taken from the census in 1830.
What do you notice about the black population in the South compared to the North?
Using the information from the website above, create a graph that shows both the number of free blacks and slaves in the states listed above. Be sure to include a title and labels.
Use this website to enter data about the states you are studying in the 1830 Census. Pay attention to the abbreviations. A GIF of the US map will be complete when you are done.
If computers are not readily available, copies can be made of this United States map to identify states who were free as opposed to those who were slave states. If the state had more free blacks than slaves in 1830, color it blue. If a state had more slaves than free blacks, color it red.
Prudence Crandall started a school for young African American women in the 1800's and it met with tragic results. Find out what happened using the resources below.
This link will take you to a wealth of resources, including various links to Prudence Crandall, Primary Source Autobiography Activities, and timelines.
This site does not contain primary documents, but it gives a great overview and easy explanation of the major events of the Civil War. Check it out to find ot what happened.
We often hear in the news about other countries trying to rebuild after civil war. What had to happen in our own country? Check out this website to find out what happened.
This site by the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History contains speeches of Lincoln's (performed by others since recording devices did not exist during Lincoln's time.)
Once a carefully crafted plan is in place, it helps to type up your work in a MS Word Document, using this template.
That way proper spelling can be easily checked.
DARK HISTORY: The Colonization of Liberia--Philanthropy or Racism?
How Slavery and Black Laws Led to the Founding of Liberia
This in depth research paper examines how the United States sent free slaves to colonize the country that would become known as Liberia.
By Lynn Arnold
Unit Plan--Dark History: The African American Experience in the United States Until 1863
An Integrated Unit Investigating How Slavery and Black Laws Led to the Underground Railroad, Civil War, Emancipation Proclamation, and the Founding of Liberia
By Lynn ArnoldINTRODUCTION
Watch this video about a Secret Girls School in Afghanistan.
Watch the two videos below. As you watch, write down 10 key ideas using the graphic organizer.
Could this happen here?
Secret Girls School in Afghanistan
See what happens to some girls just because they went to school.
WANTED: STUDENT HISTORIANS TASK
YES WE CAN VIDEO
Watch this video and see what historical references you understand.Why was this election so significant? We will discover why our recent presidental election was a major feat from a historical perspective.
SLAVERY
Slavery was the largest forced migration of people the earth has ever experienced. Check out the following websites to learn more.Below is a checklist of items to complete during this unit.
Read this eyewitness account of a slave ship and use a ruler to see how high the measurements are.
Forced Crossings: A History of the Slave Trade
The Peculiar Institution of Slavery from American Memory
Slaves and the Courts 1740-1860
Digital History's Anti Slavery Timeline
Anti-Slavery and Civil Rights Timeline
US History Lesson: Abolitionism
The Slaves Lives as Reported By a Sea Captain
Read Abolition of the Slave Trade from this text written in 1832. Start reading at the bottom of p. 12 and read until you come to the section entitled African Colonization the best check on the Slave Trade.New Revelations About Slave Trade
POPULATION CHARTS
African American Population in 1830
Go to the bottom of this page to the chart called, Colored Population in the United States. This information was taken from the census in 1830.What do you notice about the black population in the South compared to the North?
Create a Graph
Using the information from the website above, create a graph that shows both the number of free blacks and slaves in the states listed above. Be sure to include a title and labels.Color Code a US Map
Use this website to enter data about the states you are studying in the 1830 Census. Pay attention to the abbreviations. A GIF of the US map will be complete when you are done.TEACHER KEY
US Outline Map from Edu Place
If computers are not readily available, copies can be made of this United States map to identify states who were free as opposed to those who were slave states. If the state had more free blacks than slaves in 1830, color it blue. If a state had more slaves than free blacks, color it red.Four Square Writing Method Digital Template
Type your topic sentence and supporting details in this digital template to organize your thinking.PRUDENCE CRANDALL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
Prudence Crandall started a school for young African American women in the 1800's and it met with tragic results. Find out what happened using the resources below.Prudence Crandall School
Prudence Crandall: Summary and Multiple Viewpoints
Here you can read about the summary of what happened and then read from a variety of perspectives.The Last Green Valley's Educational Resource Page
This link will take you to a wealth of resources, including various links to Prudence Crandall, Primary Source Autobiography Activities, and timelines.Samuel May's Recollection of Anti-Slavery Regarding Prudence Crandall
From Yale University's Gilder Lehrman Center.BLACK LAWS
Read about the laws that prevented African Americans from enjoying the same liberties as others.Black Laws described by state
Read pp. 22-24 from this book written in 1835. See what types of laws were in existence at that time.Laws in the 1830's
Read pp. 22-25 to see how laws impacted blacks.HENRY BOX BROWN
Henry Box Brown is a real life example of how desperate some slaves were to attain freedom. Discover his intriguing story here.The Narrative of Henry Box Brown Written by Himself
The Resurrection of Henry Box Brown from Virginia Historical Society
Henry Box Brown Overview
FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT OF 1850
Fugitive Slave Act from PBS
Fugitive Slave Act from Rare Books
Map Showing Slave and Free States in 1850
HARRIET TUBMAN & THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
America's Story: Harriet Tubman
When you check out this site, be sure to continue with the 3 links to more Harriet Tubman information. You will be amazed!PBS Info on Harriet Tubman
CIVIL WAR
Civil War for Kids
This site does not contain primary documents, but it gives a great overview and easy explanation of the major events of the Civil War. Check it out to find ot what happened.After the Civil War--Reconstruction
We often hear in the news about other countries trying to rebuild after civil war. What had to happen in our own country? Check out this website to find out what happened.Black Soldiers Fighting in the Civil War
This is from the National Archives education page and gives valuable information on the fight for African American rights.Primary Sources: Civil War Effects on People
Read how the war effected soldiers, women and children, and African Americans. True stories may be found on this site.America's Story: The Civil War
Check out this information from America's Library site. There is a lot of information about the war.Lincoln's Documents
America's New Birth of Freedom: Lincoln's Thoughts on the Civil War
This site by the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History contains speeches of Lincoln's (performed by others since recording devices did not exist during Lincoln's time.)JIM CROW LAWS
Progress of a People: Segregation and Black Laws
Who Was Jim Crow?
History of Jim Crow Laws
Jim Crow Primary Source Set
This site is from the Library of Congress and contains a wealth of information.Teacher Guide Primary Source Set for Jim Crow
Examples of Jim Crow Laws
Photographs of Signs Reinforcing Racial Discrimination
Check out the historical pictures on this site to see how skin color made a big difference up until the 1960's!RUBY BRIDGES
BBC Video Clip of Ruby Bridges 50 Years After Her Historic MomentHISTORICAL SONGS
Songs can be a fascinating way to learn history. See if you understand the message in these historical lyrics below.Colored Man's Opinion of Colonization Song
This song is an excerpt from a book entitled the Anti-Slavery Picknick, available at the Library of Congress.'63 is the Jubilee
MORE PRIMARY RESOURCES TO INVESTIGATE
Frederick Douglass Narrative of His Life
Here is another story about a man who fled his life as a slave to find freedom.UNCLE TOM's CABIN
Digital Version of Uncle Tom's Cabin
This book caused a stir just before the Civil War. It is a fictional account of a slave's life. The South was outraged when this text was published.AMERICAN HISTORY
American's Story from American's Library, from Library of Congress
MODERN DAY SLAVERY
Watch the first minute and a half. Fast forward to 1:35 and then finish at 2:25.LIBERIA INFORMATION
Liberia Now: An Un-Civil War
MULTI MEDIA RESOURCES
Various forms of media can be used to understand history.Document Analysis Worksheets
Here you can find links to analyze an assortment of resources: written documents, photographs, maps, songs, posters, cartoons, etcDigital Storyboard Resources
Before creating any video project, planning is involved. A storyboard must be created. Use the handout below to help.Once a carefully crafted plan is in place, it helps to type up your work in a MS Word Document, using this template.
That way proper spelling can be easily checked.
Microsoft Photo Story 3 for Windows
1830 MAP ISSUES?
DOES YOUR MAP CONTAIN A WHITE STATE IN THE MIDDLE OF OTHERS?Read this article about West Virgina to find out how to solve it.
BOOKS ABOUT SLAVERY
The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox
The Slave Dancer Google Lit Trip
DARK HISTORY: The Colonization of Liberia--Philanthropy or Racism?
How Slavery and Black Laws Led to the Founding of Liberia
This in depth research paper examines how the United States sent free slaves to colonize the country that would become known as Liberia.By Lynn Arnold